PSU Magazine Winter 2000

FOOTBALL The Vikings footba ll season came to a disappointing end, but the team still had its best year since moving to Division I-AA. PSU had playoff hopes late in the season, until it suffered a loss to Northern Arizona in the final game of the year. The team finished 8-3 overall and 6-2 in the Big Sky Conference-a tie for second in the Big Sky. Seven of the team's 11 starters were named to the Big Sky first or second team, and defensive end Chris Cain was named to the GTE-CoSIDA Academic All– American second team, and Academic All-District first team. Quarterback Jimmy Blanchard placed fifth in the Walter Payton National Player of the Year balloting, and Coach Tim Walsh was fifth in the Eddie Robinson National Coach of the Year balloting. SOCCER The Vikings got off to a quick start at 4-2 but struggled down the stretch and fini hed the season 5-13. Portland State was competitive in most games but had a 1- Sophomore Aimee Mansoor was named to the AU-Big Sky second team. 6 record in games decided by one goal, including five losses by a 1-0 score. Sophomore Joanna Bowns was named to the All-Big Sky first team after leading the team with seven goals and 18 points. Midfielder Aimee Mansoor was named to the second team, and sophomore Jamie Harlor set a Big Sky record with four assists in one match and an NCAA record by scoring a goal 14 seconds after an opponent's goal. VOLLEYBALL The Vikings took to the court with a young squad and the inexperience showed as they struggled to a 2- 24 record. Despite the disappoint– ing record, some of the young Vikings players showed promise for the future. Freshman Kristina Leenders was the team's second leading scorer with 2.51 and led the squad with 2.57 digs per game. CROSS COUNTRY The Vikings had an exciting season, including playing host to the 1999 Big Sky Championships, a first for the PSU runners. The women's team, which was especially competitive, was led by Melissa Telford, who was named an All-Conference Runner after finishing seventh at the Big Sky Championships. She finished 28th at the Regional Championsh ips, just short of making the All-Region team. The men's squad was suffer– ing from injuries most of the season, but still managed to come up with its best Big Sky finish. Jeremy Park and Will Smith led the squad. Park finished first on the team in five meets, and Smith led in the other three races. PHOTOS BY TROY WAYRYNEN GOLF The women's golf team, led by first-year head coach Kelly C rawford , also gained ground on a Big Sky Champ ionship. The team was just one shot off the lead after the first day and it finished seventh overall, its best finish in the Big Sky. The men's squad, which took the Big Sky Championship last year, will defend its title in May. Meanwhile, the team's best performance this fa ll came at the Wolf Pack C lass ic in Carson C ity, Nevada, where it finished 13th out of 18 teams. MEN'S BASKETBALL Still in the middle of the season, the Vikings are looking to build on last year's 16-10 overall record and 9-7 Big Sky mark. The team got off to a quick start led by its two returning starters, senior Derek Nesland and Hasan Artharee. Remaining home games are: Feb. 3 Weber State Forward Hasan Artharee is the Vikings' top return– ing rebounder. 7 p.m. Feb. 11 Eastern Washington 7 p.m. Feb. 17 Sacramento State 7 p.m. Feb. 19 Idaho State 7 p.m. March 2 Montana 7 p.m. March 4 Montana State noon WOMEN'S BASKETBALL With four starters returning from this team, the Vikings have high hopes of returning and winning the conference championship under new head coach George Wolfe. Remaining home games are: Feb. 5 Eastern Washington f 7 p.m. Feb. 24 Northern Arizona 7 p.m. Feb. 25 Cal State Northridge 7:30 p.m. WRESTLING The Vikings' young squad hopes to move up the ranks of the Pac- 10 wrestling conference during this 1999-2000 season. Among the talented class of fresh– men is Mike Pierce (165) who won the triple crown state championship the last two years at Sam Barlow High School in Gresham. Remaining home meets are: Feb. 3 Southern Oregon 7:30 p.m. Feb. 13 Simon Fraser 3 p.m. Tickets to athletic events are available through the PSU Box Office, (503) 725-3307, or by calling 1-888- VIKTIKS. For a complete schedule of matches see the Web site www.goviks.com . ' 4 WINTER 2000 PSU MAGAZINE 29